Celia Barquin Arozamena, a student at Iowa State University, was found dead on a golf course in Ames, Iowa just months after winning the European Ladies’ Amateur championship in July. Celia, who was just 22 years old, was finishing up her degree at the university when she was murdered. Celia, a native of Puente San Miguel, Spain, was also the 2018 Big 12 champion and Iowa State Female Athlete of the Year.

“This is a tragic and senseless loss of a talented young woman and an acclaimed student athlete,” Iowa State University President Dr. Wendy Wintersteen said. “We mourn with her family and friends in Spain, her teammates here and all who knew her. On behalf of the entire Cyclone family, I extend our deep condolences to Celia’s family and her many friends and teammates at Iowa State. We are deeply saddened.”

Barquin Arozamena is Iowa State’s career leader in stroke average and is second in school history with 16 finishes inside of the top ten.

“We are all devastated,” Iowa State head women’s golf coach Christie Martens said. “Celia was a beautiful person who was loved by all her teammates and friends. She loved Iowa State and was an outstanding representative for our school. We will never forget her competitive drive to be the best and her passion for life.”

Celia Barquin Arozamena Cause of Death: Not Determined

While an official cause of death has yet to be determined at this time, Celia Barquin Arozamena’s body was found on the Coldwater Golf Course Monday, Sept. 17. Officers determined that she had been assaulted after being found “some distance away” from her abandoned golf bag.

Celia was born on July 6, 1996, and was studying civil engineering. After a standout high school career as one of the top junior golfers in Spain, Celia made her way to the United States to join the Iowa State Cyclones team. She finished her senior year as a Big 12 Champion, First-Team All-Big 12, Big 12 All-Tournament Team, First-Team Academic All-Big 12, and Iowa State Female Athlete of the Year.